"I have a Dream" MLK

• Engels
• Middelbare school

Welcome

Today: MLK speech

Historical context

- After the United States abolished slavery, Black Americans continued to be marginalized 

- through enforced segregated and diminished access to facilities, housing, education—and opportunities. 
- Segregation was made law several times 

- some believed that black and white people were incapable of coexisting. 

Historical context

- The first steps: “Black Codes.” starting around 1865 

 - dictated most aspects of Black peoples’ lives, including where they could work and live.

- Jim Crow laws (named after a derogatory term for Blacks), legislators segregated everything 

- slowly changed slightly over the years (in terms of law)

The codes also ensured Black people’s availability for cheap labor after slavery was abolished.

Through so-called Jim Crow laws (named after a derogatory term for Blacks), legislators segregated everything from schools to residential areas to public parks to theaters to pools to cemeteries, asylums, jails and residential homes.

Little Rock nine - 1957

Historical context

- Rosa Parks was arrested in 1955 

-the civil rights movement began in earnest. 

-  Martin Luther King, Jr. and the resulting protests, 

- the Civil Rights Act was signed in 1964, outlawing discrimination, though desegregation was a slow process, especially in schools.

When Rosa Parks was arrested in 1955 after refusing to give up her bus seat to a white man in Montgomery, Alabama, the civil rights movement began in earnest. Through the efforts of organizers like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the resulting protests, the Civil Rights Act was signed in 1964, outlawing discrimination, though desegregation was a slow process, especially in schools.

Martin Luther King

Martin Luther King (jr.)

-  Baptist minister and social rights activist
in the United States in the 1950s and ’60s

- Leader of the American civil rights movement.

- Peaceful protests

- Nobel Peace Prize in 1964

- MLK Day: a reflection of his legacy of addressing
 social problems through collective action.

Malcolm X

- experienced poverty and violence
at a young age

- King and Malcolm clashed over the
best tactics to end racial discrimination
and prejudice

- achieving equality and Black liberation
by “any means necessary.”

"I have a dream.. "

- August 28 1963 (a month before the bombing in Brimingham)
- during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom

- Begining with a reference to the Emancipation Proclamation

- "Tell them about the dream, Martin!"

- described his dreams of freedom and equality arising from a land of slavery and hatred
- defining moment of the civil rights movement

What is King's message? Use quotes

Now do the assignments

Extra IB question: When answering question 4, look at how language is used to convey meaning, to make sure the message gets across. What is the effect of different literary devices in the speech?

Done? Can you find any other literary devices in this speech? Hint: look at the list in the back to help you, or search the internet for more literary devices

Looking at all the examples of literary divices used in his speech, can you explain what made it powerful?